A new bullet train service between Hong Kong and mainland China launched Sunday, a multi-billion-dollar project that critics say gives away part of the city’s territory to an increasingly assertive Beijing.
Chinese security have been stationed in semi-autonomous Hong Kong for the first time at the harbour front West Kowloon rail terminus, as part of a new “special port area” that is subject to mainland law.
Despite critics’ fears over passenger safety in the mainland zones, hundreds gathered at the terminus, with the first train leaving for the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen at 7:00 am (2300 GMT Saturday).
“I’m not worried about the (mainland security) issue. They’re only here to work, the joint checkpoints are just to make things more convenient and make border-crossing clearance faster,” one 39-year-old passenger who gave his name as Mr. Chan told AFP.
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